"Back to the Wine" Fair, featuring around 100 artisan winemakers from across Italy: November 15-16 in Cesena

There are about a hundred of them, coming from all over Italy and beyond (France and Slovenia). They have one word in common, a production philosophy: artisanal . Translated: minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar, family-run, quality over quantity. They are the winemakers of Back to the Wine , the artisanal wine fair and market, making its first appearance at Cesena Fiera on Sunday, November 15th and Monday, November 16th .

The ninth edition of Back to the Wine was presented this morning (Wednesday, October 28) at Cesena Fiera by curator Andrea Marchetti, together with Lorenzo Tersi, Cesena Fiera's managing director, and some of the event's contributors: Simone Rosetti (La Michiletta in Cesena), Benedetto Linguerri (Allegra Bologna and Osteria Vicolo Nuovo in Imola), and Paolo Babini (Vigne dei Boschi in Brisighella).

Return to Romagna

Curated by Andrea Marchetti , the event marks a return to the origins, to the Romagna region where it all began ten years ago . The launching point was Faenza, then Bologna, up until the last three years in Venice. Today, " Romagna, sunny sweet country ," for an event that represents an opportunity to connect the food and wine culture of this region with experiences from across the peninsula. The choice of Cesena Fiera is also motivated by two purely functional reasons: a modern structure for events of this scale (a multipurpose space) and the geographical location easily connected to the A14 and E45 motorways.

Wine produced by the earth

The location may change, but the concept behind the two-day event remains clear: a clear focus. The focus is on artisan winemakers , those producing quality, limited-edition wines with a particular focus on eco-sustainability, natural, organic, and biodynamic production. All this with the understanding that knowing a wine means meeting its maker , understanding their work, and discerning the terroir in the glass through direct comparison at the tasting tables.

" Behind every label are people with whom to discuss territories, harvests, and production choices ," explains curator Andrea Marchetti . " The value of the meeting lies in the opportunity to delve deeper into what a bottle alone cannot convey: the changing seasons, the revival of a tradition, the rationale behind a working method. Visitors can thus taste and purchase directly from the producers ."

Fair and Market

This is the dual nature of Back to the Wine, both a fair and a market : a place where tasting can become knowledge and guide a purchasing decision. An invitation to take time to listen, as well as to taste. And the protagonists are primarily family-run businesses, with attendees from all over Italy, from Alto Adige to Pantelleria, with excursions from France and Slovenia, representing the main wine regions .

Food artisans

Alongside wine, there will also be space for food: artisan food vendors and food stations will allow visitors to stop at the fair for a food-focused break. The food offerings will complement the tastings, combining discovery and conviviality, with a focus on the care taken in the production and the relationship with those who make them.

For dining, there are three options: Michiletta from Cesena, Cucinot Vegetal from Imola, Allegra from Bologna, and Osteria del Vicolo Nuovo from Imola. They also offer excellent food from across the country, including quality dairy products, seafood, cured meats, and much more.

The market of artisanal products

During the event's presentation, Lorenzo Tersi provided an overview of the small-scale winemaking market in Italy: " Artisanal wineries represent a precious heritage of our viticulture, authentic custodians of local traditions and identities. Of Italy's 29,000 wineries, three out of four are small-scale producers. Putting these businesses at the center of an event like this means enhancing biodiversity, promoting local excellence, and preserving a production model that prioritizes sustainability and quality ."

Event info

The two days will engage with different yet complementary audiences. Sunday will be aimed primarily at enthusiasts; Monday will offer a business opportunity for restaurateurs, wine merchants, wine bar managers, and distributors looking for new labels.

Open to the public: Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; Mondays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with free parking.

Admission: €20 until October 30th, then €25 online and €30 at the box office. Trade visitors, subject to registration and verification, will pay €10.

Information on backtothewine.com.